Welcome to Bold Sparrow Creative! It’s already December, and the holidays are upon us. ‘Tis the season for thoughtful client holiday gifts. Don’t worry – I’m here to help.
If you are currently ordering someone a box of sausages or chocolates, it’s time to put the computer mouse down, sit back and exhale. Cheap office supplies adorned with the company logo? Just. No. Let’s level it up a bit. While those gifts are, sadly, all too popular, they also tend to say, “Here’s what you got last year, and here’s what you’re getting next year. I don’t have time for change. High five, Bill.”
Hopefully, you’ve had enough casual conversations with your clients to know their basic tastes and peculiarities. Their likes and dislikes. What they like to do when they have time off, or what their favorite restaurant is.
Show them that you heard them, and show your appreciation by giving gifts that have the ability to relay just how much your clients mean to the success of your company. Be mindful of how what you’re giving reflects back onto you. Use this opportunity to strengthen your relationships with your clients, rather than provide a cheap trinket that seems more like an advertisement and will just end up in the trash.
But guess what! I have found plenty of creative and inspired ideas, just in time.
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Cool office supplies.
I mean it, people. There are some truly awesome office supplies out there. From completely customizable notebooks, to rose gold paper clips, and gorgeous organizers and calendars. It’s so easy to fall in love with so many of these items, but often it’s hard to justify spending money on these specialty items when your company will foot the bill for the standard necessities. Which is why these make great gifts.
Clockwise from top left: Customizable Notebooks from May Designs / Weekly Scheduler from MochiThings / Concrete Pen from IntoConcrete / Leather Laptop Sleeve from Moore & Giles / Rose Gold Paperclips from Paperchase / Denim and Canvas Notebook from Kaufmann Mercantile / 2017 Maps Calendar from Rifle Paper Co.
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Gifts for the Socially Conscious.
I’ll say it. Some gifts just don’t do it for people. They end up re-gifted or in the trash. Socially conscious gifting may give someone a reason to take pause and actually take a personal interest in what you have given them.
Provide handmade gifts from the local makers of your city, or give products from your clients’ beloved locally-based companies. Etsy and Scoutmob are a great way to find these. A gift certificate to a beloved local indie movie theater or family-owned bookstore is another great idea. Charitable gift giving will always be in vogue, but now you can get creative. Gift sets are available from Kiva.org that include handmade items and include a microlending gift card. These allow you to pick an individual or group of your choice and lend a minimum of $25 dollars. The best part? These loans will be repaid to you, at which point you can lend it out again to someone else in need. It truly is a gift that keeps on giving! Other organizations like Krochet Kids Intl. empower women in Northern Uganda and Peru by providing the knowledge and training to create and sell apparel. Each item of clothing they create is signed by the maker. Heifer International provides sustainable agriculture and commerce to impoverished families by donating farm animals, which provide both food and income. These gifts are not only powerful, but can be purchased today and are tax-deductible.
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Gift Boxes and Subscription Box Services.
There are some incredible gift box services out there today, many of which will customize their contents to your liking. . For the business traveler, companies like Try the World offer boxes of gourmet foods from a different country each month.
In the end, keep it sincere, and don’t overdo it. If you want to include your company logo, do so on the attached holiday card. A handwritten note is the final touch for a thoughtful holiday gift that will continue to build and strengthen relationships for years to come.
What are your go-to office gift suggestions?
